Hello again. This is Talon from the massage therapy department here at the Dang Gym hoping that this article finds you and yours well. Another month has passed and things are going well here at the gym. However, there is something that has been on my mind recently that I would like to discuss. The other day I had a client who was under considerable stress as well as various medical anomalies and had the muscle aches to prove it. She said something that I hear a lot, “Massages really help manage my pain but it’s such a luxury that I don’t get as many as I should.”

Therein lies the problem, the stigma associated with massage. People seem to think that massage is only for the overindulgent or over privileged. In all actuality my client base is not made up of those people. Massages that come through here include the stress ridden mother of three or the overworked teacher. It is for the sufferers of depression and anxiety. It is for the sore and tired. Massage is here to help the physically and emotionally burdened. Massage is for those who work hard and for those that play hard. The juggling act that is our way of life seems to have permanently tensed our shoulders and riddled us with knots. We give our all throughout the whole week so what is wrong with one hour of healing for ourselves?

I am not implying that massage is a replacement for proper health assessments or psychotherapy; however, it can reduce any number of symptoms and ailments you have. It will allow you to live a more relaxed and fulfilling life with less pain and stress.

Many people come in for one session and then wait a month or more before their next session. The knots that I worked out the last time come back and the person is frozen with pain. On the other hand I have clients that come in every two weeks or more whose muscles show real signs of improvement, and those adhesions don’t have a chance to reform. They also report less stress and an overall sense of wellness.

It’s time to start viewing massage as “preventative maintenance.” Stress and obesity top the list of culprits of manifested diseases. My treatment is easy. No one is asking you to go on a diet, exercise and lose weight, or exert any kind of will power what-so-ever. I am inviting you to come in, lay down, take a deep breath and let the healing begin one knot at a time.

Talon W. Thompson
Licensed Massage Therapist
The Dang Gym
817-202-8015

Portion Control

Some simple steps to control portion sizes. As kids we learned not to eat between meals to avoid “spoiling our dinner”. Well it’s time to forget that rule.

Step 1, Feeling hungry between meals, have a healthy snack, a piece of fruit or a small salad will help you avoid overeating at that next meal.

Step 2, People tend to overeat while watching TV put the amount you plan to eat in a bowl instead of eating from the package. You often lose track of how much you are eating when focused on something else.

Step 3, Avoid the temptation of over eating at meal time by not putting the dishes on the table. Keeping excess food out reach reduces the temptations of second helpings.

Step 4, When eating out, split the entrée with someone, not only will you eat less, it’s also easier on the budget. You can also ask for a “to-go” box. (Hint: divide the meal before you eat, not after).

Get rid of the candy dish and replace it with a fruit bowl. People to eat more when food is readily available so, make healthier snack choices to leave around the house.

Decorate the front of the fridge and cabinets with healthier foods and put the more tempting choices in the back, (out of sight, out of mind).

Avoid large containers; people seem to consume more without even realizing it when food is in a larger container. Instead, divide foods into smaller containers.

Remember it takes the stomach approximately 20 minutes to let the brain know it’s had enough. Food labels can help you understand more about portion sizes and nutritional contents.

Michael Joe Wilkerson
Certified Fitness Trainer
Certified Specialist in Performance Nutrition
mwilkerson@thedanggym.com